Early in the year of 1991, Pastor Leversee and his wife, Melanie, began praying for God’s will in their lives regarding a growing burden for souls in the southwestern United States. As they prayed, they felt God’s leading and direction to plant a New Testament Baptist church in the Phoenix Metro area. Pastor Leversee resigned his pastoral position at Waterloo Baptist Temple in Waterloo, Iowa. With the churches blessing and support, the Leversee’s made the move to Arizona in September of 1993.
The Lord blessed in the move and for the next three months. Planning and preparation were made for the planting of Desert Gateway Baptist Church.
On the first Sunday of January, 1994, the opening service was conducted in the home of Rollin and Barbara Goode. That Sunday morning there were 11 people in attendance. Since then, God has richly blessed our efforts and given us a church with godly, Christ-honoring people.
As the church grew, Pastor Leversee sensed the need to establish a Christian school that would provide the children of our church with balanced, Christ-centered education. So on the fall of 1999, Gateway Baptist Academy opened its doors to the members of our church.
Gateway Baptist Academy is a ministry of Desert Gateway Baptist Church and holds to the same doctrinal positions of the church.
